[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Notice: in file /includes/bbcode.php on line 121: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback insteadGeocaching Australia - View topic - dedicated server funding amounts

I plucked a psuedo-random figure of $30 out of the air before reading the first post properly. Upon further consideration, I would probably be happy to pay $50-$100 a year for an association membership... while a straight out "donation" would probably be less than that.

Why? I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect its something to do with the fact that if there was a set price:
"Get your Geocaching Federation of Australia membership here for $x"then being the lazy sod that I am , i'd probably just cough up $x if it was within reason (where "reason" is defined above)... but if it were a case of:
"Make a donation of whatever you like"I might be inclined to "donate" less...

Stingey? - maybe
Lazy? - you bet!

PS. having been a member (and committee member) of various associations, clubs, federations, etc... I also suppose i'm just used to being happy to pay an annual membership.
PPS. If I knew that the membership fee (and/or donation) was mostly going to fund keeping this website alive, there would be bugger all hesitation compared to a non-descript "just pay us your membership, and we'll do as we see fit" fee...

As with most associations, there would be various types of membership:

Full Membership (1 Adult)
Associate Membership (For any partner of a Full Member)
Family Membership (2 Adults & any number of children under 18)
Team Membership (Geocaching Team Name)
Guest Membership (FREE - for anyone not prepared to contribute a membership fee with NO voting rights)

Each type would have an appropriate membership fee. The problem with giving everyone FREE membership is that they then have a say without having contributed financially to the association, and really why should they have a say!

My previous post was not to suggest membership should be $50, only that as an adult I would be prepared to pay $50 per year as that is what I value the benefit I receive from the forum and from the web site in general.

It may well be that the powers that be set $20, in which case I would then be more than happy to donate an additional $30 to "make up" $50.

Whatever is ultimately decided, it will never ever please everyone. So long as we can achieve some consensus which the majority are happy with, I am quite prepared to go along with whatever the majority rule.

Just to donate my own 2 cents to the discussion, as it were....
<br><br>
If you're looking at a donation based model, then I'd suggest making two options available:<br>
1. Random one-off payments for amounts at the discretion of the user - based on what they feel the service is worth to them, or how much they can afford; or <br>
2. A regular monthly payment taken from a paypal or credit card account. I'd suggest a set amount ($2/month or $5/month say), though again it could be left up to the user. I reckon it would be easier for people to sign up to this than to a larger annual contribution, but it would add up over a number of users.

PayPal supports the recurring payment model these days, so that would be a viable option. I think the idea is to limit the ability for donations to exceed need, though, so I'm not certain how that could be managed if recurring payments were used.

PayPal supports the recurring payment model these days, so that would be a viable option. I think the idea is to limit the ability for donations to exceed need, though, so I'm not certain how that could be managed if recurring payments were used.

Regards,Eric

The extra funds could be held over till the next year as the charges are likely to increase with every year, iI would also give some cover to any shortfall in donations as people leave and get replaced. I would be comfortable with a year in advance so that the server could be paid monthly with the knowledge that it's funded for the next 12 months once that level is achieved then it is amater of tweaking the deposits on a 6 monthly or yearly basis to keep 12 months in advance.